News from other sources

Pharmaceuticals

Food and drug chief Gottlieb skirts health secretary talk, says most effective at FDA | Reuters

"I feel like I want to continue to follow through on the policies we've put out and it's where I think I can be most effective," Gottlieb, a possible candidate for HHS secretary, told Reuters.

An old-school pharmacy hand-delivers drugs to Congress, a little-known perk for the powerful | Stat

For about $600 a year, Congress members can get care at the Office of the Attending Physician, where all the drug deliveries come from a single community pharmacy just a few blocks from the Capitol.

Health insurers, hospitals and generic-drug makers ask Congress to examine Allergan patent deal | CNBC

In September, Allergan transferred all the patents for its $1.4 billion eye drug Restasis to the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe. Now, ten groups are asking Congress to look into the deal, which could prevent generic drug manufacturers from successfully challenging the patents.

Information technology

University of Michigan launches precision health initiative | Health Data Management

The University of Michigan's new precision health project will combine genomic, medical, social, and environmental information with measurements from sensors and wearables.

Telehealth business Avizia acquires Carena to add physician networks | Medcity News

One telehealth company, Avizia, has acquired another, Carena. With the deal, Avizia will gain Carena's physician networks, which come from contracts with health systems.

In other news

Where's the proof that mindfulness works? | Scientific American

Data on mindfulness are weak, according to a new article. The lead author of the article says that mindfulness benefits are being exaggerated for financial gain. The mindfulness meditation business in the U.S. has swelled to $1.1 billion.